- SURNAME
Lopez
- FORENAME
John Edward,Jr
- UNIT
5 SF Group (Company B,Det A-242)
- RANK
Sergeant First Class
- NUMBER
554547041
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
- PLACE
South Vietnam 1969
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/lopez-john-edward-jr.9338/CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Sergeant First Class John Edward Lopez, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Detachment A-242, Company B, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Sergeant First Class Lopez distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 7 October 1969 while serving as a Special Forces advisor with a Vietnamese company search and clear mission near Camp Dak Pek. A platoon of his company had been fired upon and pinned down by a well entrenched and concealed enemy force. Sergeant Lopez and a fellow advisor immediately formed a reaction force in an attempt to rescue the trapped platoon. The reaction force no sooner began to maneuver on the enemy when it was caught in an enemy crossfire, and Sergeant Lopez's fellow advisor was mortally wounded. Faced with enemy fire on three sides, Sergeant Lopez quickly formed a defensive perimeter. Moving outside the perimeter, Sergeant Lopez exposed himself to enemy fire in order to recover the body of the other advisor. He then directed and adjusted artillery fire and air strikes on the enemy positions. Personally carrying the body of his companion, Sergeant Lopez led his unit through the three-sided crossfire, but found his route of withdrawal blocked by another enemy company. Sergeant Lopez then directed artillery and gunship fire against the enemy positions until he was able to lead his unit safely through the enemy encirclement. Sergeant First Class Lopez's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Last edited by a moderator:
